Marriage and divorce

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Our staff can help you apply for a marriage licence and understand the process of getting married in Kitchener.

On this page:

1. Apply for a marriage licence
2. Marriage licence requirements
3. Marriage licence expiry and replacement
4. Marriage certificates
5. Wedding venues
6. Divorce
7. Legislated services division

Apply for a marriage licence

To get married in Ontario, you must complete a marriage licence application. You can apply online or in person. If you apply online, you will need to book an appointment to pick up your licence.

How to apply online

How to apply in-person

City Hall is open for walk-ins. If you want to plan your visit, you can book an appointment.

Staff are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, except for statutory and other holidays. We do not issue marriage licences after 4:30 p.m.

What you need to get a marriage licence

You must have the following documents available at the time of your application, otherwise we will not be able to process it.

• Marriage licence application (hard copy or submitted online in advance of your appointment – see a  sample complete application). You must download Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 10.0 or above) to view/print the marriage licence application form.
• Two valid, original pieces of government-issued identification are required for each applicant. At least one piece of identification must include a photo. Photocopies, scanned images or photos displayed on an electronic device are not accepted.
• Any required supporting documentation related to a previous divorce, such as the original divorce certificate (for divorces granted in Canada) or a Foreign Divorce Authority Letter (for divorces granted outside Canada). 
• If either applicant is remarrying after the death of a spouse, one of the following is required:
  • death certificate of spouse
  • Funeral Director's statement of death
  • court order declaring that your spouse has died

If the provided documents are valid and consistent, we issue the marriage licence on the day of your appointment or walk-in visit.

Cost of licence

A marriage licence in Kitchener costs $180 and is payable in-person during your appointment or walk-in visit. Accepted payment methods are cash, cheque, or debit. 

Marriage licence requirements

Please review the requirements below before you apply for a marriage licence.

• government-issued identification
• persons under the age of 18
• marriage licence after divorce
• civil annulment
• widow
• publication of banns

Government-issued identification

Two valid, original pieces of government-issued identification (ID) are required for each applicant. At least one piece must include a photo. Photocopies, scanned images, or photos displayed on an electronic device are not accepted.

• government-issued birth certificate, including any change of name certificates
• valid passport
• record of immigrant landing
• Canadian citizenship card
• valid driver's licence
• valid Ontario photo card

Persons under the age of 18

Any person under the age of 18 years of age needs written consent from both parents. You must be at least 16 years old to get married in Ontario. Send us an email if you have any questions.

Marriage licence after divorce

If either person has been divorced, we need:

• an original divorce certificate if divorced in Canada
• Foreign Divorce Authority Letter from the Province of Ontario if divorced outside of Canada

Find more information on the province's website.

Civil annulment

If you've obtained a civil annulment as opposed to a divorce, you must provide the appropriate paperwork.

Widow

If either applicant is remarrying after the death of a spouse one of the following is required:

• death certificate of spouse 
• Funeral Director's statement of death 
• court order declaring that your spouse has died 

Publication of banns

If you want to have your banns published, please check with your clergy before applying for a marriage licence. A marriage may be solemnized under the authority of the publication of banns.

Marriage licence expiry

After we issue the licence, it is valid anywhere in Ontario for 90 days.

Marriage certificates

After your ceremony, the officiant will mail your marriage licence to the Office of the Registrar General for registration.

After your licence has been registered, you can apply for a marriage certificate through Service Ontario. They collect a service fee, which you can pay by debit or credit.

If you prefer to mail your application or pay by cheque or money order, you can pick up a printed marriage certificate application from our legislated services division or at a Service Ontario centre.

Wedding venues

If you are looking for an affordable wedding venue in Kitchener, consider one of our facilities. Check our wedding venues page to find a space.

Divorce

The Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for divorces and separations in Ontario.

Legislated services division